We the Tangata
Whenua of Te Moananui a Tairongo, have occupied land
at Ohiwa Harbour since time immemorial. This panui
seeks to give a better understanding of our recent
actions to reclaim our ancestral lands For
generations Ohiwa has sustained numerous hapu of the
Mataatua Waka who can all place their origins within
the ebb and flow of the harbour waters. This unique
relationship that tangata whenua enjoy with Ohiwa was
gravely impacted upon by crown confiscations which
took effect on Jan 17th 1866.

We are

concerned
that the Ohiwa harbour and its

surrounds
will be privatised

before
the land has been restored to its rightful guardians

We have returned to our ancestral lands today to
commemorate the day of shame 133 years ago when our
land was confiscated by application of the New
Zealand Settlements Act. Since that time our
ancestors have been fighting for the return of the
land through a variety of mechanisms including; legal
battles in the Native Land Court and other courts of
the Crown; the taking up of arms to protect the
whenua for future generations and diplomatic appeals
to various representatives of the Crown. The history
of this struggle is well known . We are concerned
that it not be forgotten in the current climate of
Crown Imposed Treaty Settlements that would have
Maori accept money for mana, and money as a
substitute for whenua. We as descendants of those who
fought and died for our land will not buy into this
illusion of restoration of rights and obligations
particularly as we watch our lands being privatised
and sold to the highest bidder.

We are determined that our whenua will not become
a playground for the rich absentee owners who visit
two or three times a year. We are determined that
those lands wrongfully taken should be restored to us
the tangata whenua to care for the present and future
generations of the peoples of Mataatua Waka.

This is a
map of the area in ohiwa

which
highlights the sites of historical

And
spiritual significance to the

Descendants
of te Waka o Mataatua

[Not included]

Contrary to media reports our aims are simple and
consistent with the historical demands of our tipuna.
We seek to :

a) Educate the public Maori and Non Maori alike of
the historical attachment by all of the peoples of
the Mataatua Waka to the Ohiwa Harbour;

b) Educate crown appointed and mandated
representatives of Maori (Kupapa) of the real effect
of the current Treaty Settlement Framework;

c) Effect constitutional change to ensure that our
rights and status as tangata whenua are protected for
all time and incorporated at every level of
government policy and decisionmaking that impacts on
our way of life;

d) Have our land restored to the rightful
guardians to preserve and care for present and future
generations unborn.

What
do we want?

Our stand is about:

a) Unifying under the Waka o
Mataatua

b) Expressing our distaste for the
privatisation of Maori land into foreign ownership